Eddie Howe has insisted that Newcastle United told Sven Botman to undergo surgery on his knee last autumn - but the centre-back wanted to try to play on.
Botman has now been ruled out for the rest of the season and could also miss a chunk of next term after being forced to go under the knife. Howe has reflected on the devastating blow for the first time and says that his absence is going to cost Newcastle dear.
Howe, speaking at his pre-match Press conference ahead of the West Ham game today, said: "It's a big blow. It’s a complex story with Sven. Initially he had a partial tear [earlier this season]. We sought specialist opinion and there was conflicting reports on what he should do next.
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"Ultimately, our medical team advised him to get surgery, but he wanted to carry on. He has then aggravated that issue. He now has a long road ahead of him, but the operation went well so we hope he comes back in a better place. Now we'll support him and help him back.
"You can't force a player to have an operation, no matter what an opinion may be internally. Sven was very certain in his mind what he wanted to do."
Botman's injury was the latest in a long line of entries into the club's treatment room and that has since swelled to another absentee with Lewis Miley picking up a back injury. Howe, who could only watch on as Miley was injured on England Under-20 duty, said: "Lewis has come back to us with a back problem, we are seeking specialist opinion on him, we don’t know exactly what it is right now."
The better news for Newcastle is that Harvey Barnes, Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento could all make a return this weekend against the Hammers. Howe said: "Possibly, we'll have to wait and see."
The Easter Saturday fixture against West Ham kicks off the run-in for United with a place in the Europa Conference League up for grabs. Howe said: "With these ten games it is an opportunity for us to finish the season strong, we are looking for consistency in results. We are focused on building and finding some positive momentum."
